$1.49 million funding boosts four councils and their coastal management plans

The NSW Government today announced $1.49 million in funding to four local councils under the 2020-2021 Coastal and Estuary Grants Program to assist with increasing the resilience and health of coastal communities and their coastlines.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said the successful funding submissions that were approved under the program's planning stream will be awarded to Central Coast Council, MidCoast Council, Maitland City Council and Georges River Council.

"This funding provided in the planning stream of the Coastal and Estuary Grants Program will be of major benefit to supporting coastal councils in their work to improve the resilience and health of their coastlines," Mrs Hancock said.

"The program overall aims to understand the complex coastal and estuarine environment, increase coastal communities' resilience and improve the health of NSW estuaries through well-planned action."

The successful recipients are:

1. Central Coast Council Awarded $644,560 to complete stages two and three of its Coastal Management Program (CMP) for Tuggerah Lakes Estuary, and $326,667 to complete stage 2 of a CMP for open coast and coastal lagoons.
2. MidCoast Council Awarded $40,000 for a scoping study for Great Lakes, Karuah and Khappinghat estuaries, and $31,600 to review the current framework for management of Jimmy's Beach.
3. Maitland City Council Awarded $381,667 to review and reset the strategic direction of the management of the Hunter River Estuary by developing a CMP. This project will bring together Maitland City, Newcastle City, Port Stephens and Dungog Shire Councils.
4. Georges River Council Awarded $66,666 to complete a detailed design for foreshore protection works required at Donnelly Park, Connells Point.

The NSW Government has increased planning funding, providing $2 for every $1 provided by councils, to assist with delivering their Coastal Management Plans.

There are currently 5 funding streams under the NSW Government's Coastal and Estuary Grants Program.

One stream is for planning and studies, while the other 4 are to implement works identified in certified coastal or estuary management programs.

Councils can apply for grants to undertake planning and studies at any time during the year, and can apply for grants to implement works during a contestable grants round.